I am from a small town southeast of Buffalo, NY called East Aurora. Every summer my family and I spend our days relaxing at my cottage that is located along Lake Erie. It was here where my love for the weather began after watching thunderstorms develop along the lake’s horizon.

I recently graduated from the SUNY College at Brockport with a BS in Meteorology. All throughout my college career, my friends have always told me that I was crazy for wanting to intern on top of the tallest peak in the northeastern United States. I have wanted this ever since I got a tour from one of the past interns about 5 years ago. Luke, the intern, showed me around the weather room, the observation tower, and let me see the different tools they used to measure the weather. Everything was so new and exciting for me because I have never experienced extreme weather like this before.

 

After volunteering this past summer, I was able to interact with the observers and interns more. Each of them explained how to measure and forecast for this unpredictable type of weather.

So far, being an intern is everything I hoped it would be and more. I get to help the observers with forecasting, talking on the radio, and measuring observations. I also get to assist with research for the Observatory’s Director of Research, Dr. Kelsey. Through this internship, I hope to learn more about what is like to work for the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather” and becoming part of a meteorological team.